Bulldogs v Wests Tigers: Napa to start, no Flanagan; Mbye to fill Laurie void
The Wests Tigers have some pride to restore after letting a 10-point lead slip away in a two-point loss against the depleted Warriors last weekend.
The Bulldogs would just like to stop leaking points as they let the Titans put 34 on them - the third week in a row oppositions have scored 30 or more.
So two sides down on luck and down near the bottom of the NRL are desperate to give their fans something to smile about as the final five rounds unfold.
It could be the side with the better discipline that gets enough momentum going.
But the NRL season stats for these two clubs don't offer much hope as the Bulldogs are second-worst and the Wests Tigers third for the number of penalties conceded.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: In a minor change announced an hour before kick-off, Dylan Napa will start the match, with Ava Seumanufagai (No.8) to start off the bench. Watson Heleta will be the 18th man.
Trent Barrett has tinkered with his side for yet another week in a bid to finish the season on a high.
Bailey Biondi-Odo gets his first NRL start at five-eighth with Jake Averillo shifting to halfback.
Jayden Okunbor and Kyle Flanagan were the major omissions after poor performances last week.
Tui Katoa, Kyle Flanagan and Jackson Topine dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off, with Heleta added to the reserves.
The Bulldogs have lost their past nine games at Suncorp Stadium.
Wests Tigers: Michael Maguire's side will start 1-17, with Tukimihia Simpkins the 18th man.
James Tamou (foot) will play after missing last week's loss to the Warriors with a minor setback.
Moses Mbye steps in at fullback for Daine Laurie (fractured leg) as he did for 78 minutes last week.
Veteran utility Micheal Chee Kam has been promoted from the bench to take Mbye's place in the centres.
Outside back Zac Cini has been included on the interchange.
Tom Amone and Jock Madden were omitted from the reserves on Saturday.
Wests Tigers are aiming for three consecutive wins over the Bulldogs for the first time.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will HopoateCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Michael Chee Kam
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron SchouppCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Falakiko ManuWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bailey Biondi-OdoFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake AverilloHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack HetheringtonProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Dylan NapaProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Adam Elliott2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh JacksonLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Ava SeumanufagaiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sione KatoaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Zac Cini
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris PatoloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt DooreyInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 25 Watson HeletaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tukimihia Simpkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jacob Liddle v Jeremy Marshall-King: They aren't rated among the top echelon of No.9s but Liddle and Marshall-Kin can both be very effective when their forwards get the upper hand. Marshall-King has enjoyed some fine performance in 2021.
Stat attack
The Bulldogs and Tigers are two of only four teams in the opening 20 rounds who have not kicked a field goal. They’re evenly matched heading into this game so one of them might be required to knock over their first one-pointer to break a deadlock.
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